I basically don't know. However, /sh-m-s/ rather than /s-m-s/ would seem
more likely for "sun", since all the Semitic languages I know of have an
initial "sh".
As for moon, there are various words, and I don't know which may be
original, but I think /s-l-m/ is unlikely as Arabic, Hebrew and Phoenician
have as a basic meaning for this root "peace, security, safety".
The basic word for moon in Classical Arabic is /qamar/. Oddly enough, the
basic verbal root has meanings to do with gambling.
There are also : /badr/ "full moon", with the basic verbal root having
meanings revolving around the idea of a sudden or unexpected occurrence;
and /hilaal/ "crescent or half moon", with a basic verbal meaning of
"shine", which occurs in Hebrew /halal/ "shine, flash forth light".
The Arabic word for month has no connection with any of these roots :
/shahr/, with a basic verbal meaning of "make known", but there also Hebrew
words /tsahar/ with a basic meaning of "round", and /saharon/ meaning
"crescent moon".
The normal Hebrew/Aramaic/Phoenician/Ugaritic word for moon (and month) is
based on the root /y-r-kh/, which may be connected with Arabic /taariikh/, a
(slightly irregular) verbal noun from the verb /?arrakh/, and means "date"
or "history". Yarikh was the Ugaritic moon god.
Hope this helps
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: John Croft <jdcroft@...>
To: <cybalist@egroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 22 August, 2000 8:21 AM
Subject: [tied] Re: Dumezil, Trito and Athena: MY IE main Gods
> Joaoa asked
>
> > Is there any Proto-Semitic reconstruction for "sun" and "moon"?
>
> Correct me if I am wrong Dennis but I understand proto Semitic sun to
> be *s-m-s and proto Semitic moon to be *s-l-m.
>
> Regards
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>